Reads for June and beyond

•June 11, 2025•

Fiction: The Children of Eve (Charlie Parker series #22) by John Connolly; Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies (Camper & Criminals series #40) by Tonya Kappes; Cold Dead Cash (Shotgun Johnny series #3) by William W. Johnstone & J. A. Johnstone; Dismal Trail by Ron Schwab; Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen; Going Home in the Dark by Dean Koontz; Heartwood by Amity Gaige; Never Lie by Freida McFadden; Last Supper (Chase Adams FBI series #18) by Patrick Logan; Locked Door by Freida McFadden ; The Marriage Pact (Amish of Marigold series #3) by Kathleen Fuller; Of Bats and Belfried (Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm series #13) by Shirley Raye Redmond; One By One by Freida McFadden; Oro City (Quest Chronicles series #5) by B. N. Rundell; Perfect Son by Freida McFadden; The Pharaoh’s Tomb (Turner & Mosely Files series #4) by Lyndee Walker & Bruce Robert Coffin; Shadow of the Solstice (Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelita series #10) by Anne Hillerman; The Silversmith’s Puzzle (Captain Jim and Lady Diana series #4) by Nev March; South of Nowhere (Colter Shaw series #5) by Jeffery Deaver; Taking Stock (Kate Fox series #10) by Shannon Baker; The Tenant by Freida McFadden; and Tough Choices (Stepping Stones series #3) by Linda Byler.

•June 11, 2025•

Students from Arthur Christian School, ALAH High School, and Atwood-Hammond Grade School recently showcased their patriotism and writing skills in the 2025 Americanism Essay Contest. Sponsored by the Arthur Legion Auxiliary #479, the Atwood Legion Auxiliary #770, and the Lovington Legion Auxiliary #429, the contest encouraged students to reflect on the thought-provoking question: “What is My Favorite National Memorial or Monument?”

119 essays were submitted across three grade-level divisions. To ensure a fair and impartial selection process, a panel of judges from Arthur, Atwood, and Lovington evaluated each essay anonymously—without knowledge of the students’ names, schools, or hometowns.

The contest was divided into three classes:

• Class I: 7th and 8th graders

• Class II: 9th and 10th graders

•June 11, 2025•

Heartland Mini Hoofs will be at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services building on June 17th at noon. 

Heartland Mini Hoofs is a mini-equine therapy visitation program that is dedicated to brining mini-horses to visit and interact with those of all ages. Equine therapy helps build self-esteem, improve emotional regulation, reduce anxiety/stress, and foster trust and connection.

For more information, call (217) 728-8521.

The Panther’s Scream

•June 11, 2025•

by Janet Roney

“It’s time to quit and go home when I start seeing things!” Roger hung his jacket on the hook and stood there with a puzzled look on his face.

“Seeing things? What did you see?” I asked. My worry about my husband working so late at night at the isolated Murphy River farm on the east county line was replaced by a new concern. 

“I don’t know. In my tractor lights, I thought I saw something dark dart across in front of me. Maybe it was a reflection. After I quit and was walking to my truck, I heard this blood-curdling scream come up from the Kaskaskia River bottom. It was time to go home!”

Now, you should know that my husband is a sober man. (We are Methodists, don’t you know…)

2015

Okaw Valley’s baseball team took home a fourth-place state trophy from the tournament in Peoria.

Zachary Coon was awarded a scholarship by the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association Foundation. Coon graduated from Sullivan High School in the spring of 2011 and attended Lake Land College to study building construction technology before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he worked towards his bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business administration. 

The Lovington Grade School eighth grade class promotion ceremony was held with the following students promoted: Isaac Ashenfelter, Gabriel Hallford, Paul Brodnansky, Jon Marquis, Kyle Carnahan, Dalton McDaniel, Veronica Chambers, Caleb Nettles, Adam Day, Taylor Powell, Hunter Day, Daniel Reedy, Ciara Emrick, Jessica Renfro, Molly Fort, Angela Robinson, Lauren Foster, Alexia Stanley, and Katelynn Gingerich.